Heidi Vanderhoof

Born in Roseland, Heidi calls Richard J. Codey Arena her home away from home. She has skated there since she fell in love with the sport at age 12. A late start compared to some, but with her aptitude and her determination, she ploughed through the requirements of the United States Figure Skating Association, under the tutelage of Lynn Alberi, earning gold medals in Freestyle, Moves in the Field and Dance, attaining professional status by the age of 20.

Heidi has skated in countless ice shows in the United States and Puerto Rico as a soloist. In March 2010 she was one of the featured skaters in “One Step Closer”, an ice extravaganza to benefit AIDs research in New York City.

A popular coach at Codey Arena, Heidi has amassed a following of enthusiastic children and adults who take private and group lessons. Every Sunday she dedicates her time running the Special Skaters program there, some of whom are preparing to compete in the Special Olympics.

In 2001 Heidi became a firefighter herself and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2012. At the encouragement of some of her friends, she signed up to take the rigorous firefighting test. She passed the written and the physical endurance parts with flying colors, ranking 3rd place among all the men who tried. She became the first and only woman in the West Orange Fire Department.

Trained as an EMT, Heidi gives first aid as a First Responder. She dons the turnout gear, drives the firetruck, and extinguishes fires with the best of them, and they know she is someone they can depend on with confidence. Says Deputy Chief, John Tumminello of the West Orange Fire Dept. “No matter what the situation we’ve been faced with, Heidi has always been there every step of the way. Never backing down from a challenge or hesitating, she has earned the respect of her fellow firefighters here.”

She also is known to make a mean filet mignon wrapped in bacon served with mushroom risotto in the firehouse kitchen. “Do I cook for them? Well yeah sure,” says Heidi, a vegetarian, responding with a smile, “I know they would risk their lives for me. So think about it. Cooking for them is the least I can do, and I love it.”